Artist: Type-O-Negative
Title: “Bloody Kisses” (limited edition)
Label: Roadrunner Records
Release Date: 11/22/1994
Genre: Gothic/Heavy Metal
Rating: 4/5
Type-O-Negative had really delivered a good one with “Bloody Kisses” and when it was originally released in 1993, it showcased the band as a powerhouse of the relatively new Gothic Metal genre. It was an interesting change of pace from the deluge of Seattle bands that were dominating the airwaves at the time. The band re-issued the album in 1994 as a limited edition that came packaged with a VHS tape of two of the bands videos depending on where you found it and would also come now in a digipak cardboard case as opposed to the conventional jewel case. This was rather new at the time and has since become common place. There are a number of differences between this and the original release and the first one would be the removal of the soundscape tracks. Gone are “Machine Screw”, “Fay Wray Come Out And Play” and the other two along with the songs “We Hate Everyone” and “Kill All The White People”. It seemed that not long after the album was released that the band faced a number of criticisms based on the nature implied in these songs even though lyrically they were very tongue in cheek and an obvious inside joke from the band to their fans. I admit not being too crazy about the “KATWP” tune since it was too hard core for me, but I did like “We Hate Everyone” quite a bit. To make up for the subtracted tunes they added a new track called “Suspended In Dusk” which played upon the whole vampire mystique and was a solemn and brooding tune.
As far as the original tracks well, they still ring strong and have remained some of my very favorites for years. “Christian Woman” is a resoundingly powerful number even though its full version might be viewed as a bit long with its full three parts. “Blood & Fire” and “Too Late: Frozen” are crushing rockers and often remain as part of the bands live set many years later and while there is still plenty to enjoy on the CD, these three tunes can make a lifer out of you when you hear them for the first time. As we noted on the review of the original CD, this album would be the last to feature drummer Sal Abruscato who would move on to the ranks of Life Of Agony (another Roadrunner Records artist). Sal’s replacement would be Johnny Kelly who has been in the lineup since coming aboard. This release remains a highlight of my collection and if you don’t have one version of it yet, you need to add it straight away. It is a refreshingly heavy Metal album that came to be at just the right point in time.
Track Listing:
1. Christian Woman
2. Bloody Kisses (A Death In The Family)
3. Too Late: Frozen
4. Blood & Fire
5. Can’t Lose You
6. Summer Breeze
7. Set Me On Fire
8. Suspended In Dusk
9. Black #1 (Little Miss Scare All)
Official Web site: http://www.typeonegative.net